Aussie center reportedly on his way

Australian center Aron Baynes is heading to San Antonio for the finalization of his transfer to the Spurs, according to a tweet from the basketball journalist who broke the news of his acquisition several weeks ago.

Baynes, 26, had been averaging 13.8 points and 9.8 rebounds in the Euroleague for Slovenia's Union Olimpija. He spent four seasons at Washington State before heading to Europe in 2009.

Warriors center Andrew Bogut, who continues to rehab his injured ankle, had good things to say about Baynes despite never having played against his fellow Australian. He was particularly enthused about Baynes joining the Spurs.

“This system will fit him best,” Bogut said. “He's definitely not a guy who could go to an isolation team that throws him the ball every time down. He's better suited to be with a good team concept, and (Gregg) Popovich has a great system for that.”

On a roll: Tiago Splitter had another quality game with 19 points against the Warriors, the 12th time he has hit double figures in 18 outings since becoming a starter. He has shot 50 percent or better in eight of those, including 8 for 10 Friday.

“Tiago Splitter ... was fantastic,” Popovich said. “He's just been hurt a good portion of the time he's been here and hasn't had a chance to play consistent minutes. But he's played like this all over the world. People are finally getting to see him healthy.”

Road trip: The Spurs will seek to recapture some of their road mojo on their quick two-game swing to Atlanta and Philadelphia. They've lost seven of nine away from home after starting 11-2.

Just another game: Former Spur Richard Jefferson was blasé about his first game in San Antonio since being traded to Golden State last spring.

“This is my fourth team,” said Jefferson, who averaged 11.2 points per game in 21/2 seasons with the Spurs. “There's really not much emotion. It's a business trip.”

Mitchell honored: Auburn will retire the jersey of former Spurs star Mike Mitchell before today's game against Kentucky. Mitchell, who died in 2011, remains the leading rebounder in Auburn history. He averaged 20.1 points in seven seasons with the Spurs and 19.8 points in 10 NBA seasons.

McCarney was an undrafted free agent out of Mankato State (Minn.) when he signed for the league minimum with the Laredo Morning Times in 1996. He earned his call-up to the San Antonio Express-News in 2000, paying his dues in the high school ranks before covering UTSA and, beginning this season, the Spurs, allowing him to write about his favorite sport and take orders from Jeff McDonald and Mike Monroe. McCarney also covers the Scorpions, where he gets his fix for the Beautiful Game.